Art’s Sandwich Shop (https://artssandwichshop.com/) is another local legend — a family-owned restaurant that opened in 1972. As far as I’m concerned, that makes it a historic restaurant here in Orlando. When I recently visited its Orange Blossom Trail stand-alone building, it looked like very little has changed in the 50+ years since it opened, and I mean that in a good way — see also other venerable sandwich institutions like Beefy King and Gabriel’s Subs.
Longtime readers, the stalwart Saboscrivnerinos, know I will order an Italian sub wherever they are available. Art’s version is called the Stinger, and it comes with genoa salami, ham, capicola, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and vinaigrette dressing on a lightly toasted white sub roll.
It’s not the biggest or the fanciest Italian sub, but it really hit the spot. I liked how the roll was soft yet crispy from being toasted, along with the additional crunch of the shredded iceberg lettuce and onions, and the tangy sweetness of the dressing tying it all together and acting as a “sandwich lubricant.” 
They offer homemade chili, which is something else I always feel obligated to try anytime I see it on a menu. Everyone’s version of chili is different, and as far as I’m concerned, there is something unique about every cup, bowl, or pot of chili that makes it worth sampling. Shredded cheese was a 50-cent upcharge, a no-brainer as far as I was concerned. 
It was a good, basic chili, the kind you might whip up on a cold day with some ground beef and stuff in your pantry and spice drawer, and there isn’t anything wrong with that!
I’m also a sucker for pasta salad, and I was surprised that Art’s pasta salad uses linguini noodles rather than something like elbows or twists, tossed in the same tangy-sweet Italian dressing with fresh diced tomatoes. That’s honestly a first for me. 
I also ordered the cheesesteak, with thin-sliced (“flaked”) sirloin steak cooked on the flattop grill with onions and Art’s own special seasoning (I have no idea what the special seasoning is). I asked for grilled onions and hot peppers to be added on (they use banana peppers), and I enjoyed this one back at home. 
I heated it up in the toaster oven, and it was tasty. 
I still give the award to Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen and John and John’s – A Pizza Shop for serving the best Philly cheesesteak in Orlando (same sandwich, same owners), and I will go to bat for the non-traditional cheesesteak at the aforementioned Gabriel’s Subs, since it tastes like a White Castle or Krystal slider. But Art’s is such a classic, I’m still glad I tried it.
Art’s Sandwich Shop is so far out of the way for me, it took a special trip just to try it, but I’m glad I finally did, especially after 20+ years living in Orlando. It’s amazing to me how it has stayed in business in the mostly industrial area it’s in, without much of a “cool factor” to bring in diners from elsewhere in the city. But I think it’s the lack of a cool factor that makes Art’s cool. It’s completely unpretentious, old-school, and I’m sure they’re making everything the same exact way they always have. That kind of consistency is rare, and I’m sure their loyal fanbase appreciates them for it. Art’s is definitely one of those “if you know, you know” kind of restaurants, and now I know! (And knowing is half the battle.)
The Saboscrivner 